Mercury-arc rectifier



Dec. 13, 192 7. 1,652,899

C. KRAMER MERCURY ARC RECTIFIER Filed May 1'7, 192'? Inventor Christian Krmer; by M His Attorney.

' tends to settle on the exterior surface of the CHRISTIAN KRKM Patented Dec. 13,-1927.

1,652,899 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ER, 01 PANKOW, BERLIN, GERMANY, ASSIGNOR '10 GENERAL ELEC- TRIO COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

MERCURY ARC RECTIFIER.

Application filed May 17, 1927, Serial No. 192,130, and in Germany July 26, 1926.

' however, of rectifiers of this kind, it has been observed that the atomizing mercury forms a conducting coating on the insulator and causes back-firing. In order to pre-- vent the formation of a coating on the insulator, it has been proposed to build a protecting insulation member or cylinder into the cathode receptacle, which would extend partially into the cathode holder space. It was supposed that under these conditions the atomized mercury would coat only the inner wall of the protecting cylinder consisting of chamotte or other fire-proof material, while the insulator proper, between the casing and cathode space would be protected against contamination by the mercury. It is found, however, that even such an arrangement does not meet the desired requirements for the reason that the arc tends to stray from the inner mercury surface and, passing through the free crevice between the casing and the protecting ring tions on the protecting. cylinder and on the insulator, which engage one within the other so that they form a seal or siphon-like overflow for the mercury flowing back from the casing to the cathode. With this construction, the mercury forming the closure is completely insulated, both from the casing and also from the cathode,,so that the arc cannot spring over from the surface of the cathode mercury to that of the mercury exterior to the cylinder. Simultaneously, by

means of the siphon-like overflow, the mercury flowing back is freed from impurities.

In the accompanying drawing an embodiment of the invention is illustrated wherein g is a part of the housing and k is the cathode. The housing and cathode are separated from each other by a porcelain insulator a. In the cathode space a protecting screen 8 is arranged, which extends partially into the housing. The screen 8 as also the insulator z each possess an extension 1' opening the one upwardly, the other downwardly. The two projections r are in engagement, one with the other, in such manner that they form a seal or siphon-like overflow for the condensed mercury flowing back in the direction of the arrow into the cathode. O

The groove-like projections on the cylinder and insulator, could of course be ar ranged in the reversed manner to that shown in the drawing. The impurities of the mer- '2' is advantageously made in two parts, since then, the ceramic material for the ring may be better chosen.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is 1. Avapor electric device comprising a cathode receptacle, a casing, an insulator 'cury flowing back, remain, owing to the siinterposed between said receptacle and said casing and provided with an inwardly projecting flange, and an insulation member ex. tending between said receptacle and said casing and provided with an outwardly extending flange, said flanges being arranged to form a seal through which mercury condensed in "said casing is returned to said receptacle.

2. A vapor electric device comprising a cathode receptacle, a casing, an insulator interposed between said receptacle and said casing and provided with aninwardly projecting flange, an insulation member extending between said receptacle and said casing and provided with an outwardly extending flange, said flanges being arranged to form a seal through which mercury condensed in and provided with an outwardly extending said casing is returned to said receptacle, flange, said flanges being arranged to form and a resilient connection between said rea seal through which mercury condensed in ceptacle and said insulation member. said casing is returned to said receptacle,

5 3. A vapor electric device comprising a and a spring arranged to prevent movement 15 cathode receptacle, a casing, an insulator inof said member. terposed between said receptacle and said In.witness whereof, I have hereunto set casing and provided with an inwardly promy hand this 30th day of April, 1927.

1 jecting flange, an insulation member extending between said receptacle and said casing CHRISTIAN KRAMER. 

